07-02-2019, 12:46 AM
As Rafael Nadal targets another title at the Barcelona Open, we asked Barry Cowan five key questions about the clay court tournament. The Spaniard made a triumphant start to this years clay campaign when he took the trophy at last weekends Monte Carlo Masters, beating Gael Monfils in the final.An impressive semi-final victory over Andy Murray was further evidence of Nadals improved form, but can he claim back-to-back titles in Barcelona, where Kei Nishikori is the defending champion? Are we watching Rafas revival? Nadal defeated Gael Monfils in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters I felt that first set between Rafa and Dominic Thiem was the biggest difference. Nadal saved 15 of 16 break points and the way he saved them - he was not playing with any fear. Nadal was playing with a lot of confidence and it was reminiscent of Rafa at his best.After that first set, he didnt look back. When you come through those moments it gives you a lot of self-belief. When he was set down against Andy Murray, or lost the second set to Gael Monfils, he moved on quickly and got on with the task. That is one of Rafas best attributes.Is Nadal the man to beat? The Spaniard has dominated the clay court campaign in past years Traditionally once Rafa builds momentum then he never looks back. He had the advantage last week of Novak Djokovic losing. I think he had to win a tournament like that, once Djokovic was no longer standing in the way.Again this week, Rafa must play with the same freedom, back himself, and I do expect him to do that. Rafa still has got great tennis in him and its amazing, even in two or three matches, how your aura can switch around.Can Kei ruin Rafas run? Kei Nishikori was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final of the Miami Masters Kei played great in Miami. That match with Monfils was certainly one of the best matches that I saw during those two weeks.Given how well Gael played last week in Monte Carlo, it really shows Keis form at the moment. He is an exceptional player on clay and will be there or thereabouts. Nishikori will be hoping to kick-start his clay court season.Best of the rest in Barca? David Ferrer pulled out of the Monte Carlo tournament due to injury It will be interesting to see how third seed David Ferrer performs. Obviously he missed last week in Monte Carlo. Its a big week for him, because he needs to rack up some points, otherwise he will be going in the wrong direction.Benoit Paire gave Andy Murray a real scare last week, but he will continually flatter to deceive. One of the most talented players out there and at times he looks like a world-beater, but then in the flick of a switch, he can self-destruct.Important step towards Paris? Nadal will be seeking a 10th title at the French Open This is another key tournament for players to prepare for the French Open. Is Rafa able to play at that high level for two weeks running? When Rafa was at his best, it was a given. I was incredibly impressed with Rafa, but he needs to show that same form coming into this week.Hes the main man to be shot at and its something he has coped well with over the years. It will be fascinating to see how he performs.Watch live coverage of the Barcelona Open on Sky Sports this week. Also See: Sky Live: Barcelona Open Nadal claims Monte Carlo title Murray: Best man won Rafa beats Murray in Monte Carlo Justin Britt Jersey .J. Fair didnt have many chances to be the main option for Syracuse last season. Wholesale Seattle Seahawks Jerseys . His chance at winning a Stanley Cup in Philadelphia is over. Same with Jeff Carter. And Brian Boucher. Throw in Ville Leino and Dan Carcillo. http://www.cheapseahawksjerseysauthentic...ersey.That is precisely what they got Sunday.The Ravens trailed at halftime and never built a comfortable lead against lowly Jacksonville, yet did just enough to squeeze out a 20-12 win to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Germain Ifedi Jersey .S. womens soccer team to a 2-0 win over China in Colorado in the afternoon. Keenan Reynolds Jersey . The All-Pro left tackle agreed to a five-year contract with the Eagles on Wednesday. Peters was signed for 2014, and his new deal adds four years through 2018.ST. LOUIS -- Jhonny Peralta went deep twice, ending the St. Louis Cardinals 366 at-bat homerless drought. The first would have been plenty for Adam Wainwright. Wainwright became the majors first five-game winner and Peralta had two home runs and four RBIs in a 7-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. "Im really having more fun pitching right now than I ever have," Wainwright said. "Its just such a chess match. "I feel Im right where I want to be and so Im going to work extra hard to stay there and not get complacent." Matt Holliday, Allen Craig and Yadier Molina also had RBIs for the Cardinals, who totalled five runs in their previous four games. St. Louis took two of three from the Pirates, shutting them out in both wins. "We got some big hits today, gave him a little bit of room to breathe," manager Mike Matheny said. "Even though weve got all the faith in the world in Waino, you just hate to have to be on the edge all the time." Edinson Volquez (1-2) gave up six runs in 5 2-3 innings for Pittsburgh, which has dropped five of six. His day unraveled after the Pirates appeal of a potential double-play ball was denied and first baseman Ike Davis foot was ruled off the bag in the sixth inning. Davis was on the dirt stretching for the relay and was adamant replay got it wrong, contending he had contact with the base for "at least a half-second" after gloving the relay from second baseman Neil Walker. "I knew I was on the bag. You can look at the video yourself and you would think I was on the bag, too," Davis said after the game. "But I guess it wasnt a close enough view." Craigs two-out bloop single made it 2-0 the next at-bat, his first RBI in eight games. Peralta followed with a three-run homer on a full count for a 5-0 lead that chased Volquez, whos 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA in 12 career starts against St. Louis. Manager Clint Hurdle said if the umpires had called it a double play, he didnt think Matheny would have prevailed in a challenge. "You saw how it changed the complexion of the game," Hurdle said. "I dont think it does anything mentally, youvee got to play through it.dddddddddddd "Weve been playing through calls we didnt like for 128 years, so that part of it is not going to change." Peralta also homered leading off the fifth, the Cardinals first since Craig on April 16 at Milwaukee. He has six homers, the most ever by a Cardinals shortstop in the opening month of the season and one more than Edgar Renteria hit in 2000. "The first one, I knew it was gone for sure," Peralta said. "The second home run, I didnt know for sure if was gone. He threw me a pretty good change-up." Wainwright (5-1) allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings and hasnt allowed a run in 25 consecutive innings. He stayed on turn after tweaking his right knee trying to cover first in his last start at New York and had seven strikeouts with two walks. Wainwrights only loss came April 6 at Pittsburgh when he allowed two runs in seven innings but lost 2-1 in another matchup with Volquez, with the win going to reliever Tony Watson. On Sunday, Wainwright retired nine straight before hitting Jose Tabata with a breaking ball with one out in the sixth. Pedro Alvarez singled with two outs, but Wainwright got Neil Walker on a called third strike. Hes the fourth St. Louis pitcher to win five games in the opening month, joining Darryl Kile (2000), Bob Tewksbury (1994) and John Denny (1977). "You cannot make a lot of mistakes," Volquez said. "Hes unbelievable. Hes a superstar." Matt Adams tripled off Jeanmar Gomez in the eighth and scored on Molinas sacrifice fly. NOTES: The Pirates have lost five consecutive series. ... Michael Wacha (2-2, 2.10) opposes Yovani Gallardo (2-0, 1.42) Monday in the opener of a three-game series between the Cardinals and Brewers. ... The Pirates have a day off before opening a two-game series at Baltimore with Charlie Morton (0-3, 4.35) opposing Chris Tillman (3-1, 3.38). ... Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina received Silver Slugger awards in a pregame ceremony. ... Peralta has eight career multihomer games, the previous on July 29, 2012, at Toronto. ... Holliday had an RBI in all three games of the series. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '